LA PAZ, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's President Evo Morales Wednesday said his country "is close" to be included in the 2014 Dakar Rally, due to the negotiations held with organizers of the international motoring event.

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Do we think that Honda would provide Chavo with support he deserves if this happens?

LA PAZ, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's President Evo Morales Wednesday said his country "is close" to be included in the 2014 Dakar Rally, due to the negotiations held with organizers of the international motoring event.

Before the beginning of the 2013 Dakar Rally Jan. 5, Bolivia was informed that to be part of the 2014 edition, the country needs the support of Peru and Argentina, besides investing some four million U.S. dollars for the organization.

The minister added that Bolivia's participation in Dakar Rally will be useful to promote extraordinary tourist sites, such as Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, as well as the Bolivian Amazonian and tropical regions, among others.

Just the footage alone of everyone racing across the Salar de Uyuni would make Bolivia famous...
Then there is the mars like terrain in the surrounding mountains..
Oh, and the 15,000 ft plus elevation would surely seperate the carbs from the FI boys.
and The Hot springs would make an awesome bivouac

No idea, the pics are from the Greek Husaberg importer, Christos Tassoulis, who took part back in '88-'89... when he came back and I read of his adventures in the local press, the seed was planted
Meoni also competed, Christos was somewhere between 3rd an 5th overall on both attempts iirc

KTM and HRC making a play for Chaleco? To me, this highlights how thin the field is for competitive rally riders.

Translation via Google:

KTM and Honda are scrambling to "Chaleco" Lopez
The pilot has already received a formal offer of the Austrians, but today will meet with the Japanese to hear his proposal.
by Francisco Siredey - 25/02/2013 - 07:02

Francisco Lopez will have a key day today to be defining their next foray into the Dakar 2014 Tweet

The return of the holiday after the Dakar has been intense for Francisco Lopez. After earning his second podium in the classic road, the corridor has a lot to discuss and to think, it must decide its course in the race.

Aware that spent a lot of money as a private pilot KTM, after the dismantling of Bordone Ferrari, "Chaleco" is thought to favor a project that will deliver financial strength. The interest of the teams has always been, but they are two teams that are serious: KTM and Honda HRC.

The Austrian brand, absolute dominator of the Dakar for more than a decade, has among its ranks two multichampions as Cyril Despres (five titles) and Marc Coma (Three Crowns), which in principle his remaining options to Chile. However, team manager, Alex Doringer, and made a formal offer to integrate it into its structure. "If I were looking for a driver to win the Dakar, seek to vest," says a source of KTM.

The status of "Chaleco" within the squad would depend on several factors. Recently, the owner of KTM, Stefan Pierer, acquired Husqvarna, one of the strongest teams in the bivouac, with the Spanish Joan Barreda promising their ranks. Although it has been announced that both casts will be handled separately, not discarded internal motions.

But the decisive factor is the continuity of Despres. As has transpired, the French have broken relationships with one of the senior team, the Spaniard Jordi Duran, so be prepared to leave the team and go to Honda HRC, the other brand that follows the Chilean rider. "I can not comment on that, but it is normal for pilots listen deals," says a team member of the five-time Dakar.

Despite reported interest from Japanese team by Despres, negotiation with curicano parallels. In fact, we will have a meeting between the Honda and the team of Lopez.

The idea of &#8203;&#8203;the Japanese is to have another top driver accompanying the Portuguese Helder Rodrigues and allow developing the bike. To further enhance the brand in the field of road, "Chaleco" would be the favorite.

No idea, the pics are from the Greek Husaberg importer, Christos Tassoulis, who took part back in '88-'89... when he came back and I read of his adventures in the local press, the seed was planted
Meoni also competed, Christos was somewhere between 3rd an 5th overall on both attempts iirc

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Gotcha, paving the Routa 40 will make it a lot less interesting, kind of like paving the Trans Labrador Highway

Still a lot of speculation, but assuming that Phillipe Zanol won't be up for Dakar 2014, then it would be Honda SA looking for another SA rider, so a perfect fit?

Who knows about the rest of the rumour and speculation?

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HRC also approached Botturi while he was still with B&F, but the good guy preferred to honour his contract. Now I don't think he has a bike for this new year yet... maybe there could be a second chance, even if he's not an alien

HRC also approached Botturi while he was still with B&F, but the good guy preferred to honour his contract. Now I don't think he has a bike for this new year yet... maybe there could be a second chance, even if he's not an alien

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Is there anyone they have not rumoured to have approached - what are they supposed to be doing, having the top 10 riders for the Dakar so a win is all but guaranteed

KTM and HRC making a play for Chaleco? To me, this highlights how thin the field is for competitive rally riders.

Translation via Google:

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset"> KTM and Honda are scrambling to "Chaleco" Lopez
The pilot has already received a formal offer of the Austrians, but today will meet with the Japanese to hear his proposal.
by Francisco Siredey - 25/02/2013 - 07:02

Francisco Lopez will have a key day today to be defining their next foray into the Dakar 2014 Tweet

The return of the holiday after the Dakar has been intense for Francisco Lopez. After earning his second podium in the classic road, the corridor has a lot to discuss and to think, it must decide its course in the race.

Aware that spent a lot of money as a private pilot KTM, after the dismantling of Bordone Ferrari, "Chaleco" is thought to favor a project that will deliver financial strength. The interest of the teams has always been, but they are two teams that are serious: KTM and Honda HRC.

The Austrian brand, absolute dominator of the Dakar for more than a decade, has among its ranks two multichampions as Cyril Despres (five titles) and Marc Coma (Three Crowns), which in principle his remaining options to Chile. However, team manager, Alex Doringer, and made a formal offer to integrate it into its structure. "If I were looking for a driver to win the Dakar, seek to vest," says a source of KTM.

The status of "Chaleco" within the squad would depend on several factors. Recently, the owner of KTM, Stefan Pierer, acquired Husqvarna, one of the strongest teams in the bivouac, with the Spanish Joan Barreda promising their ranks. Although it has been announced that both casts will be handled separately, not discarded internal motions.

But the decisive factor is the continuity of Despres. As has transpired, the French have broken relationships with one of the senior team, the Spaniard Jordi Duran, so be prepared to leave the team and go to Honda HRC, the other brand that follows the Chilean rider. "I can not comment on that, but it is normal for pilots listen deals," says a team member of the five-time Dakar.

Despite reported interest from Japanese team by Despres, negotiation with curicano parallels. In fact, we will have a meeting between the Honda and the team of Lopez.

The idea of &#8203;&#8203;the Japanese is to have another top driver accompanying the Portuguese Helder Rodrigues and allow developing the bike. To further enhance the brand in the field of road, "Chaleco" would be the favorite. </td></tr></tbody></table>

Thanks to their professionalism, work and sporting merit, which certainly have marked his career in motorcycling for over two decades, Francisco Lopez has managed to be a complete rider rally KTM Factory Racing for the 2013 season and the upcoming Dakar 2014.

The excellent performance of "vest" in past Dakar, where he won five stages and won third place, coupled with the deep understanding they have of him in the Austrian brand, they may become part of the world's most powerful team in the rally cross country.

With the orange squad, Chilean rider compete as official dates of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship in Argentina (Challenge Route 40, from 15 to 22 June) and Egypt (28 September to 5 October), more tests Engine and suspension in Africa, and perhaps add to calendar Morocco Rally, which takes place in November.

"I am very happy for this huge step in my career. I have overcome many obstacles, accidents and other things, but I've always lived in a balanced way with success and defeat. I was part of official teams and I've played all run and private, as in the last Dakar. But the important thing is that always kept me focused, motivated to keep training and feeling a huge passion for motorcycles, "said Lopez.

He adds: "Factory KTM dominates the world of rally-raid over ten years, has the best bike, the most competitive and reliable and therefore earn each year. His mechanics, engineers and assistants are great professionals and know most every time you need a help from them being a private pilot, gave me no problem. I believe this agreement is something deserved by both parties and that he naturally ".

Indeed, the relationship with the European factory was born years ago, when between mid 2007 and 2008, the national carrier competed under the KTM team, but as a support rider.

"I made good runs with them, I got podiums and worked professionally, so I always have respected and helped. Then I had three very good years in Aprilia and again this year with the support of Tamarugal XC, but clearly the intention was to return to KTM official driver, "he said" Vest ".

Among the guarantees that will give the team that runs the Austrian team manager Alex Doringer, where rows share, among others, with Frenchman Cyril Despres (five-time Dakar winner) and Spanish rider Marc Coma (three-time), and the fact is tip material have to train in Chile throughout the year.

"I come home a factory bike, also the material parts and spares, with this I can change my method a bit and spend more time preparing the meetings in the north, Peru and Argentina. Before I had to spend some time in Europe, but here we run the Dakar in South America and is in these areas where I work harder. "

Finally, Lopez thanked the support of its sponsors, who have made it possible to upload a new step in his career. "They have always believed and trusted me, beyond the results or missteps. When the sponsors notice the way you work and the commitment you have seen with your career, the only thing left is to thank them and move on, "closed the 37 years.